adam hall

MORNING PENS BUZZ The Penguins actively in the market to bolster their depth on the bottom-2 lines, held organizational meetings on Friday about whether to put in a claim for Lightning forward Adam Hall, sources say, but claiming Hall would force the Penguins to clear a roster spot to make room for him on the 23 man roster, which makes things tricky.

Reports out of Canada have indicated the Penguins could be close to acquiring Lightning forward Adam Hall but currently there is no deal in place according to sources. The Penguins have made an inquiry but the Lightning are asking for too high of a draft pick. Pittsburgh has also been pleased with the play of Dustin Jeffrey and Bill Thomas. Thomas played well during his three game stint with the Penguins and had two goals against Manchester last night. The organization is expected to give him another look as the Penguins fourth line checking center. Another thing to consider is Lightning GM Brian Lawton was Ryan Malone‚Äôs former agent. Malone and Hall became best friends in Pittsburgh and Hall signed a three year deal with the Lightning on the first day of free agency. Guys like Adam Hall are usually waiting around until August to find a home. Malone clearlyRead More »

The Penguins didn‚Äôt put together a 60 minute game but they controlled the play for the first two periods and beat the Philadelphia Fylers 4-2 Tuesday night at the Wachovia Center. Evgeni Malkin scored his 17th goal of the season, and Sidney Crosby added two assists as the dynamic duo played on the same line for the second consecutive game. Head coach Michel Therrien altered the Penguins lines prior to the game, moving gritty forward Matt Cooke up to the first line to play with Malkin and Crosby. The move paid off as Crosby, Cooke and Malkin combined for two goals and two assists. Cooke scored with 36 seconds remaining in the second period to the put the Penguins up 4-1 heading into the third period. Tyler Kennedy (7) and Jordan Staal (14) also scored for the Penguins. Marc Andre Fleury who has struggled of late made 27 saves toRead More »

Trade Buzz: Thursday’s 1-for-1 trade of young underperforming players saw the Minnesota Wild acquire center Victor Rask from the Carolina Hurricanes for left winger Nino Niederreiter. Carolina did an excellent job of being able to get out of the Rask contract, who has three years remaining with a $4 million cap hit. Rask has 1 goal, 5 assists on the season, mirrored in a 22-game goal drought. The logic here for Minnesota is taking the chance on a playmaking center who can help fill a top-9 spot longer term if the Wild move on from Eric Staal. Minnesota is also playing the card that a change of scenery will benefit the 24-year old who posted a career-high 21 goals, 48 points in 2015-2016.

Niederreiter’s trade value was stunted because of his contract, where he has three years left on his deal with a $5.25 million cap hit. Niederreiter is a player who is extremely hard to play against, drives possession well, and has three 20 goal seasons over his last four full seasons. Injuries (18 goals in 63 games) kept him from a 4th straight 20-goal season in 17-18. The Niederreiter acquisition also sets up as great insurance for the Hurricanes if they can’t resign Micheal Ferland. In the short-term, Carolina’s center situation is a mess with Jordan Staal sidelined with a concussion, but they’re getting the better player who fits the identity they’re trying to establish upfront, especially on the wings where they’ve identified the need for Patric Hornqvist type players.